driver's license
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driver's license
The official document that allows a person to operate a motor vehicle of a certain class on public roads.
Nach bestandener Prüfung hat sie endlich ihren Führerschein bekommen.
After passing the exam, she finally got her driver's license.
The word is made up of 'führen' (here: to drive/control a vehicle) and 'der Schein' (a document, a certificate). So it is literally a 'certificate for driving' a vehicle.
Ohne Führerschein darfst du dieses Auto nicht fahren.
You are not allowed to drive this car without a driver's license.
Important verbs are: 'den Führerschein machen' (to get/take your driver's license, i.e. complete the training and exam), 'ihn haben' (to have it) or 'besitzen' (to possess it), and 'ihn verlieren' (to lose it) or 'abgeben müssen' (to have to surrender it, often as a penalty).
Er musste seinen Führerschein für einen Monat abgeben.
He had to surrender his driver's license for one month.
To specify the type of vehicle for which the license is valid, the preposition 'für' (for) is used. People talk about the different 'Führerscheinklassen' (driver's license classes).
Hast du auch den Führerschein für Motorräder?
Do you also have a driver's license for motorcycles?
ID card
'Führerschein' and 'Ausweis' are both official documents, but they have different purposes. A 'Führerschein' shows that you are allowed to drive a particular vehicle. An 'Ausweis' mainly shows who you are, or it confirms membership or authorization, for example as a student or employee. The words can be confused because both can be cards with personal data. When it is about driving, 'Führerschein' is correct. When someone wants to check your identity, you usually say 'Ausweis'.
Vor der Probefahrt muss Max seinen Führerschein zeigen.
Before the test drive, Max has to show his driver's license.
Am Eingang kontrolliert die Mitarbeiterin den Ausweis der Besucher.
At the entrance, the employee checks the visitors' ID cards.